2013 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting How Patriots Will Use Their Four Day 2 Picks

The New England Patriots were back to their old tricks on Thursday night, trading out of the first round while getting a very healthy return package in the process. The Patriots traded the No. 29 overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Nos. 52, 83, 102 and 229 overall selections.

That trade leaves the Patriots with two picks in both the second and third rounds, and eight total picks in the 2013 NFL draft. Formerly restricted by their lack of picks in the draft, the Patriots now have the freedom to find value on the board as it plays out, with plenty of picks available to address their needs.

That leaves the Patriots with plenty of options. Will they trade up at all to take advantage of some of the great falling talent, or will they trade down again to add picks in the middle of Day 3? Will the Patriots address their biggest needs at wide receiver and cornerback early on Day 2, or will they have their sights set on other talent on the board?

Let’s take a look at possible scenarios for each of the Patriots’ four Day 2 draft picks, within the context of a full mock draft for both the second and third rounds.

Having traded down and picked up three additional selections in the process, the New England Patriots can now afford to make a move up the board if one of their desired targets is still available as the second round progresses. They should strongly consider doing so if USC’s Robert Woods is still available in the middle of Round 2.

Previously projected to the Patriots at the No. 29 overall pick of my final mock draft, Woods is a perfect fit for the New England Patriots. He is a worthy first-round talent whose terrific hands, sharp route-running, fluid open-field running ability and body control make him arguably the most complete wideout in the draft class.

The Patriots have a major need for an outside playmaker at wide receiver, and Woods would fit the bill. A terrific intermediate receiver who also has the versatility to line up inside in the slot, he is a great fit for the Patriots’ offense. With the division-rival Buffalo Bills sitting in position to snag him with the No. 46 overall pick, the Patriots would be smart to move up while still having the chance to draft him.

Having received the No. 102 overall pick in the trade with the Vikings, the Patriots can afford to give a draft pick up for a player as valuable as Woods in the middle of Round 2. Meanwhile, the Panthers are likely candidates to trade down in Round 2, as they do not own a third-round pick.

PROJECTED TRADE: The Miami Dolphins trade the No. 54 overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for left tackle Branden Albert.

54. Kansas City Chiefs: Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame

55. Green Bay Packers: Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama

56. Seattle Seahawks: Jamie Collins, DE/OLB, Southern Miss

57. Houston Texans: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State

58. Denver Broncos: Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn

59. New England Patriots: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

The Patriots need a pass-rushing 3-technique defensive tackle more than they need another nose tackle, but Hankins’ value would be tough for the Patriots to pass up late in Round 2.

There are many similarities between the games of Hankins and Vince Wilfork: like Wilfork, Hankins is a big, powerful, run-stuffing nose tackle who has good quickness for his size. He does not have the pass-rushing skill that the Patriots need at the defensive tackle position, but he would provide strong depth behind Wilfork and could line up alongside him as a run defender.

With four Day 2 picks, the Patriots can afford to make a value selection, and adding depth for Wilfork with a tremendous talent this late in the draft would be a hard opportunity to pass upon. Additionally, the Patriots are likely to get positive recommendations from two Belichick comrades at Ohio State: coach Urban Meyer, who is a well-noted friend of Belichick, and Mike Vrabel, a former Patriot who is now the Buckeyes’ defensive line coach.

The New England Patriots need depth at the cornerback position, and should be looking for a cornerback with the upside to develop into a starter to take over should the team lose Aqib Talib as an unrestricted free agent following the 2013 season. Given that, Southeastern Louisiana’s Robert Alford would be a player well worth taking a chance on in Round 3.

Alford is an athletic cornerback who plays with physicality, is instinctive and has great ball skills. He is a tough projection from the FCS level, as he does not have great size, has medical concerns (Crohn’s disease), and had his intelligence questioned by his own collegiate defensive coordinator in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Even with all of those risk factors, he has high talent and upside and could turn out to be a steal if developed properly.

84. Cincinnati Bengals: Reid Fragel, OT, Ohio State

85. Washington Redskins: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

86. Indianapolis Colts: Brian Schwenke, C, California

87. Seattle Seahawks: Bennie Logan, DT, LSU

88. Green Bay Packers: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

89. Houston Texans: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

90. Denver Broncos: Kevin Reddick, ILB, North Carolina

PROJECTED TRADE: The New England Patriots trade the No. 91 overall pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the No. 112 and No. 126 overall selections.

After trading up once on Day 2, it would be expected that the Patriots would trade down at least once later on Day 2 to get more picks back in Day 3. A potential trade-down partner could be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have two fourth-round picks and could package them to move back up into Round 3.

There are a few potential options who would be attractive for the Buccaneers here in a trade up, including Michigan State defensive end William Gholston, but one player the Buccaneers could strongly consider at the No. 91 overall pick is LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.

Mathieu is one of the draft’s most polarizing prospects, and could really go anywhere from Round 2 to Round 7, but with the Buccaneers likely continuing to be in the market for cornerback talent even after acquiring Darrelle Revis, they could be a team to take a shot at moving up the board and take the flier on Mathieu, who has proven playmaking ability and intriguing athletic upside, but also has had serious issues with marijuana, both leading to and following his dismissal from LSU.

If the Patriots stay put, they are certainly a team that could consider Mathieu here in Round 3 as well. Another possibility for the Patriots could be Ohio State defensive end John Simon, who would add pass-rushing depth, is a good fit for the Patriots’ defense and like Hankins, could come with the recommendation of Meyer and Vrabel.

31 Responses to “2013 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting How Patriots Will Use Their Four Day 2 Picks”

I think BB wanted Dante Jones and when he went to green bay he traded back now let’s trade up and get hunter wr or tank de their is still alot of good players. No bull crap pick like Wilson last year no gambles just good players

I like the trade up for Woods – get a smart, reliable guy before they’re all gone – though I might prefer Wheaton.

Hankins has size and talent, but serious effort issues. I think the Pats can find an equal guy later. Also, it was Meyer’s recommendation that led BB to overrule his QB coach and scouting staff to take Chad Jackson, so I don’t know that it represents a “plus” for Hankins.

I’d kinda prefer Mathieu over Alford. I think Mathieu is far more capable of making an immediate, *positive* contribution. Alford is much more a zone guy than a press-man guy, anyway.

I’d rather keep the #91 and spend it on Mathieu, and use the #83 on Chris Faulk.

I would def prefer Wheaton to another injury prone guy.I like Chris Faulk but think he can be had at 119 if that pick is not used to trade up but if it is then 91 is ok. I do not like taking a risk on Mathieu. He is small not very fast and the red flags wave like mad.

As for DT it would depend on how Bill rates the prospect. You like to site Armstead who is fine but another big body to rest Wolfolk would be invaluable I’d think. Brandon Williams from Misu so. would be ideal.

This is what I would do day 2 of the draft.
1. Trade Ryan Mallet for a 2nd next year to Cleveland, Arizona, or Tampa Bay. I think there is already a trade in place.
2. Trade pick #52 for a 2nd next year and 3rd this year.
3. Draft the BPA at # 59. I think BB has about 5 guys he likes at this pick he will be happy with. Guys I like are, Margus Hunt DE, Terrance Williams WR, Jonathan Banks CB, Christine Michael RB, John Jenkins DT, Brian Schwenke C/G. Those are just a few.
4. Round 3 take Ryan Mallet QB Tenn with one pick, Tyrann Mathieu with another. Then trade the 3rd pick in round 3 for later picks.
I like next years draft much better than this years! It would be nice in 2014 to have 2 extra picks in the 2nd round.
I predicted that BB would make 4-5 trades in this draft. Buckle up only 3-4 to go.

I don’t think you can trade 52, or is it 54, and expect Hunt, Terrance Williams, Banks or Jenkins to be there, they may, but. Bray only after Mallett trade is confurmed and no rumors support your belief just now. It may happen but just saying.

I like some of these ideas, I would like to pick up 1corner, jesse williams, woods, wheaton, tyron, I would like a LB like A.Brown or khaseem or minter or even manti if he is still around. A lot of names, talent, & value for today.

I agree that I am not as impressed with Wheaton, and to your comment Nick I do agree that the Pats are totally lacking a big body physical WR! It would be really nice for Brady to have an additional big body receiver to throw the ball up to outside of our existing TE’s. If Dobson can find a way to transfer his 4.37 (40yard dash from his pro day) to his speed at work during a play on the field I would have to give the nod to Dobson over Harrision! But coming from Marshall and watching some game tape… I just don’t see the “break away speed”!

Wheaton, Allen and Woods are the smartest, most accomplished route-runners on the board, and 5’11” is not exactly a “smurf”. I do like Harrison (also pretty smart), but he should still be available in the 4th or even the 5th as the Pats second WR pick (as would Josh Boyce). Dobson is tall and athletic, but I don’t believe has run a full route-tree and the Pats have failed at WR in the past by NOT going for the smarter, more accomplished guys, so it might be nice to see a change in strategy there.

MaineMan has correct take on assessment regarding best fits at WR for Pats. I don’t like Woods so much due toin jury. Wheaton is slim but has decent height, runs crisp routes and has speed to seperate plus the good hands needed. So thats why everyone likes Wheaton.

Lots of talent to go around, Pats will still be picking quality players at 102. Is Woods any Different than Dobson or Hunter? There are plenty of Corners still around. No need to trade up. He will do something Bizarre I am sure.

I think the Patroits take; LB Sio Moore, and Markus Wheaton in the second round. Bill may move-up to get Wheaton, but I think he can hold tight and let the draft come to him.
If Bill is going to trade Mallett it will happen today, for future picks. Cleveland, Tampa, and Jacksonville are interested teams.

Please watch the following:
Margus Hunt DE Monster
Ryan Swope WR 4.4 40 w/ GREAT hands – catches everything -tough
Jamarr Taylor CB solid late 2nd rd steal
Travis Kelce TE FAST, BIG gives flexibility to use Hernandez other ways and use Ballard on run downs
Zeke Mota S was all over the field in AL-ND game best defensive player on the field that day – stood out in pursuit covering Teo’s ass – late rd steal
Taylor Beneke QB Old Dominion – yeah I know, but if you can play, you can play! 7th rd or Free agent invite – could be great hidden gem well worth a look -Ryan Mallett was an idiodic pick. Brady will outlast malllett’s rights, has show nothing,get something for him while you can,WTF! dumb, dumb, dumb!

Woods is palatable in Round Two, although I’m not sure it’s worth it to trade up and get him, and Alford is a very underrated player. I’m still not sold on any of the big DTs in this draft, though–other than Akeem Spence, who’s more of a penetrator, I don’t see anyone worth taking until the developmental rounds (5-7). I’d rather take Wheaton at #59 if the board broke this way.